Chapter 239 Seek Your Own Blessings
Leopold spent the whole afternoon chatting with Lawrence, and from him, Leopold learned another infuriating piece of news: Dash had actually been using the hotel to cover for criminal gang members conducting illegal activities.
Before coming here, Leopold still believed Dash had been wrongly accused, but after meeting Jack and Lawrence, he had completely lost hope in this person.
Lily saw his face looked terrible, his whole body radiating a gloomy atmosphere. She brought over a cup of coffee, set it on the table, and asked, "Did Lawrence also see Dash dealing drugs?"
Leopold picked up the coffee. "Now it's not just about drug dealing. Dash was even providing hotel rooms to criminal gang members for filming videos of kidnapped girls."
As a woman herself, Lily couldn't imagine how much inhumane harm those girls had suffered, but she hated the criminal gang members who committed such atrocities to the bone.
Lily said angrily, "If it's true, Dash is really not human! Worse than an animal!!"
A cold glint flashed in Leopold's eyes. He put down his coffee cup and said, "Let's wait for Jack's news. Whatever decision we make, we need to meet face to face first."
Lily read between the lines and could tell Leopold had already made up his mind.
If Dash was wrongly accused, Leopold would definitely do everything possible to get him out. But if it was confirmed he did it, Dash could only pray for himself. Not only shouldn't he expect Leopold to save him, but he'd also be lucky if Leopold didn't kick him while he was down.
Moreover, once this kind of thing was exposed, the hotel's reputation would also be affected. The stock price that had just stabilized couldn't be dragged back down because of Dash alone.
Leopold needed to wait for confirmation before contacting Preston.
During the two days in Eldoria, Leopold kept running between the local police station and the law firm. Jack was also working hard to pull strings, and finally, through his efforts, secured a twenty-minute visitation opportunity for Leopold.
The meeting was scheduled for Thursday at 2 PM.
By the time Leopold finished the registration procedures and returned to the hotel, it was already late evening with sparse starlight.
He hadn't contacted Caroline all day. Leopold closed the room door, loosening his tie as he walked in. It was now early morning in Eldoria, so it should be daytime in Seaside City.
As usual, send a WhatsApp first.
North: [Busy?]
No reply to the message. Leopold put down his phone and went to take a shower first.
At this moment, Caroline had officially started work. Because of her heroic actions during the rainstorm, rescuing the electrical tower and creating a life passage, Seaside City TV station was interviewing her.
The interview ended an hour later. Caroline walked toward her office, opened Leopold's WhatsApp in the hallway, and replied: [Just got done with something, what's up?]
Leopold was wearing a bathrobe, working on a proposal. Hearing the phone notification, he stopped what he was doing.
North: [I just finished work and got back too. I can see Dash tomorrow.]
Caroline: [That's great. After meeting tomorrow, things should become clearer, right?]
North: [Yeah. You just recovered from a serious illness, so don't push yourself too hard at work. Your body is your own.]
Caroline: [I know.]
North: [No one's been bothering you lately, right?]
The only person who could remind Leopold of harassment was Nash, and Caroline also understood what he meant.
[No.]
North: [At least he's smart.]
Caroline walked into her office and closed the door, holding down the voice button: [Mom called me yesterday, asking when you have time to come over.]
From the tone, it was obviously Quinlan. Why was she suddenly looking for him?
North: [I haven't had time recently. I'll call her later to ask what's going on.]
Caroline: [I asked, but she didn't say. Call her as soon as you can.]
North: [Got it.]
After chatting about serious matters, they naturally had to chat about some less serious topics.
North: [Do you miss me?]
Caroline: [Do you even need to ask?]
North: [If you don't say it, how would I know? We're around 4,500 miles apart, and phones don't have a real-time emotion transmission function. You have to say it yourself.]
The corners of Caroline's mouth curved up in a smile. This guy really knew how to be unreasonable.
She replied: [I miss you.]
North: [How much?]
Caroline: [Very, very much.]
North: [Which part misses me?]
Caroline shook her head speechlessly. Here he went again.
Caroline replied: [My passionate and sincere heart.]
Leopold wasn't satisfied with just texting and pressed the video call button, but Caroline hung up as soon as it rang.
North: [What's going on? Why won't you answer the video call?]
Caroline: [Someone came to the office, got to get busy.]
Leopold teased her: [Let me see you, at least send a selfie.]
Then he saw the indicator showing the other person was typing, but when he saw the message, Leopold had to send back a big "I'm impressed."
Caroline: [I only accept scrutiny from the Party and the people.]
North: [Alright, alright, I give up!]
Caroline was receiving leaders from the Environmental Protection Bureau and others, consulting about water and electricity equipment renovation for a newly built sewage treatment plant. The specific approval still needed to be discussed with Seaside City Electric. By the time she saw off the Environmental Protection Bureau leaders, it was already time to get off work.
She clicked on Leopold's WhatsApp again to send a message, but he didn't reply again.
It should be around 11:30 PM in Eldoria now. Leopold must be exhausted there too, probably asleep.
On the drive home, Elysia called again.
Elysia asked, "Caroline, are you off work?"
"Just got off, just left the office."
"Come home for dinner. I've already made it. Why bother cooking for yourself? Just turning on the stove is more trouble than it's worth."
Caroline said with a laugh, "Is it okay for me to keep coming home to mooch meals? Several aunties in your complex see me and gossip behind my back, saying I always come home to mooch meals, don't know how to be independent, and that you've spoiled me."
"Don't listen to their nonsense. You're my daughter, and you're not eating at their houses. What business is it of theirs? Besides, you got married, but that doesn't mean you've cut ties with this family. Don't listen to their nonsense, just come home for dinner."
Caroline grinned, and Elysia said on the other end of the phone, "Spicy stir-fried squid, cilantro beef salad."
Just hearing about it made her mouth water!
"Mom, I'll be right there."
Caroline entered the house, changing into slippers while saying to the person inside, "Dear Mom, I'm home."
Elysia was carrying a bowl of freshly served rice, smiling at the person at the door. "Go wash your hands."
Caroline carried the fruit into the kitchen, then went to wash her hands and sat down at the dining table.
Elysia said, "Why did you buy fruit? We have some at home."
"I just bought some since it looked fresh."
Elysia asked, "When is Leopold coming back?"
Caroline ate with her head down. "Not sure yet, things aren't settled there."
The mother and daughter chatted while eating. After dinner, Caroline helped clean up.
Elysia took the washed dishes from Caroline, dried them, and put them on the rack, saying, "Your dad came home last night and told me the city is going to select and commend the Outstanding Women Award. There are over forty spots, and your name is on the list. He'll be presenting you with the award, so you should think about your acceptance speech in advance."
Caroline paused for a moment, finding it hard to imagine that scene. "My dad is presenting me with an award."
Elijah had never praised her in front of everyone since she was little. Suddenly having to meet on stage, she felt a bit flustered.
"What? If you don't want to, I'll tell him tonight to have someone else present your award." Elysia looked at Caroline with a smile. Sure enough, the next second, she said urgently, "No, let Dad do it."